Body-worn harness for lifting and carrying objects

ABSTRACT

A body-worn harness for lifting and carrying cumbersome objects, wherein the lifting, carrying and movement of large and cumbersome objects is conducted with relative ease and efficiency. Said body-worn harness generally comprises shoulder straps, a waist strap and a harness in which the object to be carried is placed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This present invention relates generally to harnesses and more specifically, to a body-worn harness for lifting and carrying cumbersome and/or heavy objects. The present invention is particularly useful for, although not limited to, carrying large sheets of glass and/or metal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Inherent in the daily labor operations of large warehouses, industrial factories, construction sites and even home improvement is the need to move large objects from one location to another. Movement of objects such as large pieces or sheets of glass, metal, lumber or the like is often facilitated through the use of heavy, industrial lifting machinery. Although sometimes accessible to skilled workers at construction sites or large warehouses, such complex and expensive operating machinery is usually not readily accessible to, or even operable by, a typical home-improver or small industrial/warehouse worker. Moreover, even if available, maneuverability of such complex lifting machinery, in many environments, is often awkward and results in time-consuming operations.

[0003] Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a body-worn harness for lifting and carrying cumbersome objects, wherein the lifting, carrying and movement of large and cumbersome objects is conducted with relative ease and efficiency, thus avoiding the time-consuming preparation and use of less amenable complex lifting machinery.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a body-worn harness for lifting and carrying cumbersome and/or heavy objects, wherein the lifting, carrying and movement of said objects is conducted with relative ease and efficiency.

[0005] According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a body-worn harness for lifting and carrying objects, wherein the harness generally comprises shoulder straps, a waist strap and a harness portion.

[0006] More specifically, the present invention is a body-worn harness comprising padded, adjustable shoulder straps enabling adjustment to and accommodation of the body size of its wearer. The padded, adjustable shoulder straps are secured to a padded waist strap comprising a belt for securely strapping the device around the waist of the wearer. Secured to the waist strap are rings that accommodate attaching members. In turn, these attaching members are secured to the sides of a preferably elongated, relatively flat, substantially rectangular-shaped harness, wherein the object to be lifted and carried is seated therein.

[0007] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its simplicity and ease of use.

[0008] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to support any shaped object.

[0009] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its adjustability to fit various sized individual users.

[0010] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be used in any setting and for any task requiring the movement of any large and cumbersome object.

[0011] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to evenly distribute the load of an object being carried to the user's shoulders and back, thereby reducing the possibility of back injury caused by lifting.

[0012] These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following descriptions and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a body-worn harness for lifting and carrying objects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a body-worn harness for lifting and carrying objects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention, device 10, in its preferred embodiment is a harness assembly that can be worn by a person to facilitate the lifting and carrying of objects. Device 10 generally comprises a first shoulder strap 20, a second shoulder strap 60, a waist strap 100 and a harness 200.

[0018] More specifically, first shoulder strap 20 and second shoulder strap 60 are preferably elongated, generally rectangular shaped strips of nylon material surrounding a padding material such as, for exemplary purposes only, foam. First shoulder strap 20 and second shoulder strap 60 can also be made from any suitable material known within the art. First shoulder strap 20 preferably has a top surface 22, a bottom surface 24, a first end 26, a second end 28, an inner edge 30 and an outer edge 32. Second shoulder strap 60 has a top surface 62, a bottom surface 64, a first end 66, a second end 68, an inner edge 70, and an outer edge 72.

[0019] Inner edge 30 of first shoulder strap 20 has attached thereto a loop 34 preferably positioned between first end 26 and second end 28 of first shoulder strap 20. Inner edge 70 of second shoulder strap 60 has attached thereto a loop 74 preferably positioned between first end 66 and second end 68 of second shoulder strap 60. Preferably, loops 34 and 74 are positioned closer to second ends 28 and 68, respectively, relative to first ends 26 and 66, respectively, and are preferably formed from a nylon material, but can be made from any suitable materials known within the art, including but not limited to metal or plastic. In alternate embodiments, loops 34 and 74 can be placed in varying regions along inner edges 30 and 70, respectively, of first and second shoulder strap 20 and 60, respectively, such as, exemplary purposes only, proximal the mid-region of inner edges 30 and 70, respectively. Loops 34 and 74 of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, carry buckles 36 and 76, respectively, for receiving an adjustment strap 90. Buckles 36 and 76 can be made from any suitable material known within the art such as, for exemplary purposes only, plastic or metal.

[0020] Looping through buckles 36 and 76 is shoulder width adjustment strap 90, wherein adjustment strap 90 is utilized to adjust the distance between inner edges 30 and 70 of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively. Adjustment strap 90 preferably carries hook-and-loop fastener material to facilitate adjustment thereof to accommodate the various shoulder sizes of the wearers of device 10.

[0021] Loops 38 and 78 are preferably attached to second end 28 and second end 68 of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, wherein links 40 and 80, are attached to loops 38 and 78, respectively. Loop 38 and 78 are preferably formed from a nylon material, although in alternate embodiments other suitable materials known within the art can also be utilized.

[0022] First end 26 and first end 66 of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, have attached thereto loops 42 and 82, respectively. Loops 42 and 82 carry fastening buckles 44 and 84, respectively. Loops 42 and 82 are preferably formed from a nylon material, but in alternate embodiments can be made from any suitable material known within the art. Fastening buckles 44 and 84 are preferably formed from plastic or metal, but may in alternate embodiments be formed from any suitable material known within the art. First end 26 and first end 66 of first and second shoulder strap 20 and 60, respectively, preferably further carry shoulder adjustment straps 46 and 86, respectively, wherein shoulder adjustment straps 46 and 86 are preferably formed from a nylon material, but in alternate embodiments can be made from any suitable material known within the art.

[0023] Waist strap 100 is preferably an elongated generally rectangular shaped strip of nylon material surrounding a padding material such as, for exemplary purposes only, foam. In alternate embodiments, waist strap 100 can also be made from any suitable material known within the art. Waist strap 100 has an outer surface 102, a inner surface 104, a first edge 106, a second edge 110, a first end 108 and a second end 112. Flanking the mid-region of waist strap 100 are loops 114 and 116. Preferably, loops 114 and 116 extend around first edge 106, outer surface 102, second edge 110 and inner surface 104, and are securely attached thereto via any attaching means known within the art such as, for exemplary purposes only, stitching. Loops 114 and 116 are preferably formed from a nylon material, but in alternate embodiments can be made from any suitable material known within the art. Through loops 114 and 116 extend links 40 and 80, respectively, wherein links 40 and 80 are held by loops 38 and 78, respectively, of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, whereby first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60 are connected to waist strap 100.

[0024] Proximal to second end 112 and first end 108 of waist strap 100 are loops 118 and 120, respectively. Preferably, loops 118 and 120 extend around first edge 106, outer surface 102, second edge 110 and inner surface 104, and are attached thereto via a secure attaching means known within the art such as, for exemplary purposes only, stitching or riveting.

[0025] Loop 118 has an upper loop portion 122 proximal to first edge 106 of waist strap 100 and a lower loop portion 124 proximal to second edge 110 of waist strap 100. Loop 120 has an upper loop portion 126 proximal to first edge 106 of waist strap 100 and a lower loop portion 128 proximal to second edge 110 of waist strap 100. Upper loop portion 122 of loop 118 carries and has looped therein adjustment buckle 130, and upper loop portion 126 of loop 120 carries and has looped therein adjustment buckle 132. Shoulder adjustment straps 46 and 86 of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, feed through adjustment buckles 130 and 132, respectively, until first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, are adjusted to accommodate the shoulders of the wearer of device 10. The remainder of shoulder adjustment straps 46 and 86 is then fed through fastening buckles 44 and 84, respectively, of loops 42 and 82, respectively, of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, thus further securing and maintaining shoulder adjustment straps 46 and 86 at the desired lengths.

[0026] Adjustment buckles 130 and 132 can be formed from any material known within the art such as, for exemplary purposes only, plastic or metal. Extending through lower loop portions 124 and 128 of loops 118 and 120, respectively, are rings 125 and 129, respectively, wherein rings 125 and 129 provide a means for attaching hooks 258 and 260, respectively, as more fully described below.

[0027] Waist belt 134 is attached to outer surface 102 of waist strap 100, wherein waist belt 134 is utilized to tighten waist strap 100 around a user's waist. Waist belt 134 is preferably formed from a nylon material but can be made from any suitable material known within the art. Waist belt 134 preferably has first end 140 and second end 136, wherein second end 136 comprises hook-and-loop fastener 138 and wherein first end 140 preferably has buckle 142 attached thereto. Buckle 142 is dimensioned for receiving second end 136, wherein second end 136 can be extended through buckle 142 and secured into position via hook-and-loop fastener 138. Waist belt 134 can be attached to top surface 102 via any attaching means known within the art such as, for exemplary purposes only, stitching or gluing.

[0028] Harness 200 is preferably an elongated rectangular member formed preferably from leather material; however, harness 200 can be made from any suitable material known within the art, including rigid or flexible natural or synthetic material. In addition, in alternate embodiments, harness 200 may be formed into any shape to accommodate or facilitate the holding of various shaped objects, such as, for exemplary purposes only, circular, arcuate, square or any other known shape.

[0029] Harness 200 preferably has an upper surface 202, a lower surface 204, a first edge 206, a second edge 210, a first end 208 and a second end 212. Extending through upper surface 202 and lower surface 204 and proximal to second end 212 of harness 200 are slots 214 and 216, wherein slots 214 and 216 are positioned approximately parallel to one another. Extending through upper surface 202 and lower surface 204 and proximal to first end 208 of harness 200 are slots 218 and 220, wherein slots 218 and 220 are positioned approximately parallel to one another.

[0030] Harness strap 240 is secured to harness 200 and is preferably an elongated strip formed preferably from nylon material; however, harness strap 240 may be formed from any suitable material known within the art. Harness strap 240 preferably has a first end 246 and a second end 248, wherein first loop 250 and second loop 252 are formed at first end 246 and second end 248, respectively, for receiving harness link 254 and harness link 256, respectively. Harness strap 240 is woven through slots 214, 216, 218 and 220 of harness 200, wherein first end 246 of harness strap 240 extends proximal to second end 212 of harness 200, and wherein second end 248 of harness strap 240 extends proximal to first end 208 of harness 200. Harness strap 240 preferably comprises hook-and-loop fasteners throughout its length to facilitate adjustment of the length of harness strap 240.

[0031] Harness links 254 and 256 carry hooks 258 and 260, respectively. Hooks 258 and 260 preferably removably attach onto rings 125 and 129, respectively, of lower loop portions 124 and 128, respectively, of loops 118 and 120, respectively. Hooks 258 and 260 are preferably swivel-type detachable spring-loaded hooks but can also be any attaching devices known within the art such as, for exemplary purposes only, releasable linking devices.

[0032] Now referring more specifically to FIGS. 2, in use, device 10 is worn by an individual by placing one's arms through first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60 and wrapping waist strap 100 around one's waist such that bottom surfaces 24 and 64 of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, abut the shoulders of the wearer; inner surface 104 of waist strap 100 abuts the waist of the wearer; and harness 200 sits generally in front of the wearer's waist. The wearer adjusts first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60 by pulling shoulder adjustment straps 46 and 86, respectively, through adjustment buckles 130 and 132, respectively, so that first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, snuggly embrace the wearer's shoulders. Fastening buckles 44 and 84 of loops 42 and 82, respectively, of first and second shoulder straps 20 and 60, respectively, receive the remainder of shoulder adjustment straps 46 and 86, respectively, for added security. Shoulder width adjustment strap 90 is also adjusted accordingly. Waist belt 134 of waist strap 100 then extends through belt buckle 142 of belt loop 140 of waist strap 100 and is folded back over so that the hook-and-loop fastener regions of waist belt 134 are in secured communication.

[0033] To facilitate the wearing of device 10, harness 200 can be detached temporarily by releasing attaching devices 258 and 260 of harness links 254 and 256, respectively, from rings 125 and 129, respectively, and then reattached after waist strap 100 is secured around the wearer's waist via waist belt 134. The length of harness strap 240 can be adjusted using the hook-and-loop fasteners of harness strap 240, allowing harness 200 to assume an overall lower or higher position relative to the wearer's waist.

[0034] If an object, such as a large sheet of glass A for example, needs to be lifted and/or carried, the object's corner can be placed in harness 200 so that the edge of the object's corner abuts upper surface 202 of harness 200. Harness 200 can also be swung to the waist side of the wearer so as to facilitate the lifting and/or carrying of the object in a side-like manner.

[0035] In an alternate embodiment, device 10 could be formed without loops 34 and 74 on first strap 30 and second strap 60, respectively, wherein buckles 36 and 76 could be secured directly to first strap 30 and second strap 60, respectively.

[0036] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A body-worn harness for lifting and carrying objects, comprising: a waist strap; a first shoulder strap carried by said waist strap, said first shoulder strap having a length; a second shoulder strap carried by said waist strap, said second shoulder strap having a length; a harness carried by said waist strap, wherein said harness is dimensioned to receive and support at least a portion of the object; a first means for adjusting the length of said first shoulder strap, said first means carried by said first shoulder strap; a second means for adjusting the length of said second shoulder strap; said second means carried by said second shoulder strap; and a means for adjusting the length of said waist strap, said means carried by said waist strap.
 2. The body-worn harness of claim 1, further comprising at least one shoulder width adjustment strap carried by said first shoulder strap and said second shoulder strap, wherein said shoulder width adjustment strap enables user adjustment of the width between said first shoulder strap and said second shoulder strap.
 3. The body-worn harness of claim 1, wherein said first means for adjusting the length of said first shoulder strap is at least one strap retention member and at least one shoulder adjustment strap, wherein said at least one strap retention member defines at least one aperture dimensioned to receive said at least one shoulder adjustment strap, and wherein said at least one shoulder adjustment strap is carried by said first shoulder strap.
 4. The body-worn harness of claim 3, wherein said at least one strap retention member is a buckle.
 5. The body-worn harness of claim 3, wherein said at least one strap retention member is a ring.
 6. The body-worn harness of claim 3, wherein said at least one shoulder adjustment strap carries hook-and-loop fasteners.
 7. The body-worn harness of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting the length of said waist strap is a belt carried by said waist strap, wherein said belt is secured through a belt retention member carried by said waist strap.
 8. The body-worn harness of claim 7, wherein said belt carries hook-and-loop fasteners for securing said belt.
 9. A heavy-lifting assistance device for individual wear, comprising: an adjustable girdle; a first adjustable shoulder strap carried by said adjustable girdle, said first adjustable shoulder strap having a length; a second adjustable shoulder strap carried by said adjustable girdle, said second adjustable shoulder strap having a length; and an object supporter removably carried by said adjustable girdle.
 10. The heavy-lifting assistance device of claim 9, further comprising a first means for adjusting the length of said first adjustable shoulder strap.
 11. The heavy-lifting assistance device of claim 9, further comprising a second means for adjusting the length of said second adjustable shoulder strap.
 12. The heavy-lifting assistance device of claim 10, wherein said first means for adjusting the length of said first adjustable shoulder strap is at least one strap retention member and at least one shoulder adjustment strap, wherein said at least one strap retention member defines at least one aperture dimensioned to receive said at least one shoulder adjustment strap, and wherein said at least one shoulder adjustment strap is carried by said first adjustable shoulder strap.
 13. The heavy-lifting assistance device of claim 11, wherein said second means for adjusting the length of said second adjustable shoulder strap is at least one strap retention member and at least one shoulder adjustment strap, wherein said at least one strap retention member defines at least one aperture dimensioned to receive said at least one shoulder adjustment strap, and wherein said at least one shoulder adjustment strap is carried by said second adjustable shoulder strap.
 14. The heavy-lifting assistance device of claim 9, further comprising at least one shoulder width adjustment strap.
 15. The heavy-lifting assistance device of claim 14, wherein said at least one shoulder width adjustment strap comprises hook-and-loop fasteners for adjusting the length of said at least one shoulder width adjustment strap.
 16. The heavy-lifting assistance device of claim 9, wherein said object supporter is an elongated rectangular member.
 17. A body-worn harness for lifting and carrying objects, comprising: an adjustable waist strap, said adjustable waist strap carrying a first adjustable shoulder strap and a second adjustable shoulder strap, the width between said first adjustable shoulder strap and said second adjustable shoulder strap is adjusted by at least one shoulder width adjustment strap carried by said first adjustable shoulder strap and said second adjustable shoulder strap; a harness carried by said adjustable waist strap; and a means for adjusting the distance of said harness relative to a wearer's waist.
 18. The body-worn harness of claim 17, wherein said means for adjusting the distance of said harness relative to a wearer's waist is a strap, wherein said strap is woven through slots in said harness.
 19. The body-worn harness of claim 17, wherein said strap comprises hook-and-loop fasteners for adjustment of the length of said strap and therefore the overall distance of said harness from a wearer's waist. 